As the heat increases, the demand for air conditioners (AC) in India increases rapidly. In such a situation, most people get confused between two options while buying a new AC – Inverter AC and Normal Split AC. Both work to cool the room, but there is a big difference between them in power consumption, technology, maintenance and long-term savings. It is very important to understand both of these to make the right choice.

The biggest feature of Inverter AC is its smart compressor technology. It automatically adjusts its speed according to the temperature of the room. That means it does not turn on and off again and again, but keeps running continuously at more or less power.

This reduces electricity consumption. Generally a 1.5 ton Inverter AC consumes about 0.8 to 1 unit of electricity per hour. On the other hand, Normal Split AC works at fixed speed. It runs at full capacity to cool the room and switches off when the temperature is right. Then it starts again when the temperature increases.

This frequent start and stop causes high power consumption, which can reach approximately 1.2 to 1.5 units per hour.

Maintenance and servicing

Both ACs require regular cleaning like cleaning of filters and coils. But the electronic parts and PCB system in Inverter AC are more advanced, hence in case of fault, the repair cost may be a little higher. Whereas the system of Normal Split AC is simple, which makes its repair easy and cheap.

price difference
If we talk about price, Normal Split AC is usually available between ₹ 28,000 to ₹ 32,000. Whereas the starting price of Inverter AC starts from around ₹ 35,000 and increases further according to the features. Although Inverter AC costs more, it saves on electricity bills in the long run.

Which AC is right to buy?
If your AC is used for short periods of time, then Normal Split AC can be a budget-friendly option. But if you run AC for several hours daily, then Inverter AC proves to be better because it saves electricity, makes less noise and provides better cooling continuously.

In today’s time, Inverter AC is considered a more smart and energy-efficient option. Although the initial price is high, but in the long run it gives benefits in both electricity bill and performance. Therefore, it is most important to understand your need and use before purchasing.